[pianotech] Yamahas Gray Market?

[Matthew Todd]

Hi Garret,
 
So why in the world would Yamaha, on their website, strongly discourage the purchase of these so called "gray market" pianos???
 
Oh, and wikipedia is such an excellent source to validate a claim! (sarcasim intended).
 
--Plate screws tightened (check)
--Use pitch raise mode on ETD (what for?)
--Climate control w/ string cover (I am in the process of discussing the climate system with the music leader.  She has to get it approved by the board, and no it's not a Baptist church!  I will admit the Edwards string covers are less expensive in cost than Dawsons.  However, it is still wholesale price.  T'would be much more cost efficient for the client to make their own out of 100% wool.  Half the cost, I'm sure.  But a bottom cover would also be beneficial in this situation.)
--Have colleagues evaluate my tuning/technique (check, and check!)
--CA or repin.  (Already repinned in 2008)
 
Thanks for the suggestions!


TODD PIANO WORKS 
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician 
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com

--- On Wed, 3/24/10, Garret Traylor <hpp at highpointpiano.com> wrote:


From: Garret Traylor <hpp at highpointpiano.com>
Subject: RE: [pianotech] Yamahas Gray Market?
To: toddpianoworks at att.net, pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 11:14 AM


Hi Matthew,
Casting blame for a piano's stability as being "Grey Market" is BS.  I have been in the Yamaha factory in Hamamatsu and talked with them about "seasoned for destination".  It does not exist.  The term "Grey Market" was a marketing strategy previously promoted by Yamaha to protect their market. Earth science does not support their claim either http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadley_cell. Your success in taming the piano will come with experience.

Tighten the plate screws on the piano.
Use a pitch raise mode on your ETD if you have one.
Install a climate control and Edwards string cover.
Have one of you colleagues evaluate your tuning technique (you will only get better).
Keep trying.
If the pins are losses CA them, or repin etc....
The issues you are having are fixable; same for all other makes.

Kindest Regards,
Garret 
---
Garret Traylor - President
High Point Piano & Music Inc.
88-PIANO (336) 887-4266
 Go Green! Print this email only when necessary. Thank you for helping High Point Music be environmentally responsible.

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of toddpianoworks at att.net
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 6:36 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Yamahas Gray Market?

Hi all,

I have a client situation (church) with their grand piano not holding it's tune.  It's a G3.  I have tuned it twice in the past several months.  After the second time, she said within a week unisons started going out.

After I finished tuning it, and sit down to play pieces, I was able to knock some unisons out fairly easily.  I went back and cleaned up the unisons.  I did this three or four times.

I have heard about a gray market with Yamaha.  Could this be it?  Thoughts anyone?

Matthew
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry



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